Wednesday 20th August

Having met quite a few hire boats yesterday we decided to make an early start and cover a few miles before the holiday makers started off. We were on our way by 7.30 am and the mist over the canal was lovely.

We passed through the Heyfords and came to Somerton Deep Lock. (12' and the deepest on the narrow canal system). Graham certainly looked a long way down and the gates and paddles were very heavy.

The adjoining lock keepers cottage was well kept.

A pump out at Aynho Wharf followed and I suggested to Graham that we had a 'Boaters Breakfast' at the nearby Great Western Arms pub. We had been recommended the pub by fellow boaters. Unfortunately they didn't serve breakfast! It was back to porridge on the move.

Aynho Weir lock has a fall of only 8" but it has a diamond shape. Hard to keep the boat in a straight position and Graham was sometimes in splendid isolation in the middle.

Quite a few lift bridges on this canal. Some of them can be left open like this one but others have various methods of opening. I did wonder if I held onto the chain whether I would go up too! Graham did one and it turned out to be electric so he only needed to press a button!

In case we were lost there was this helpful sign in the middle of nowhere.

One lock just for you Evelyn and George.

We arrived at Banbury at 3.30. A good mooring spot close to the station to pick up our friends tomorrow. Time for a look around and to see Banbury Cross - not the original, and the lady from the Nursery rhyme -Ride a Cock Horse. We last visited Banbury on a bitterly cold January in 2009 when we were decding where to live in England. It is a town which embraces the canal and the new shopping centre has been built around it. Good facilities for boaters and it seems to have a lot to offer for shoppers. We've identified a pub quiz for tonight so will pop along there. It will be the first of the holiday. They are generally quite hard for us with modern music rounds and film/TV questions.